Beetles (Coleoptera) of the Rogów region. Part IV – clown beetles (Histeridae) and false clown beetles (Sphaeritidae )

In the fourth part of the series entitled “Beetles (Coleoptera) of the Rogów region” the next two families, clown beetles (Histeridae) and false clown beetles (Spaheritidae) are presented, as the better-known families of beetles occurring in the Rogów area. The faunistic data of the listed species is supplemented by bionomical information

This part presents a list of the species of clown and false clown beetles known to occur in the Rogów region. Almost all species have been collected by the authors, only a small part of specimens was taken from the collection of J. Dominik and J. Sawoniewicz. All the specimens mentioned are kept in the collection of Department of Forest Protection and Ecology in Rogów. All the latin names have been checked according to "A concise catalogue of the Histeridae (Insecta: Coleoptera)" (Mazur 2012) and "Catalogue of Palearctic Coleoptera" (Löbl & Smetana 2004). All the species have been identified or verified by the authors of the work. In the Rogów region very rare species. During more than 20 years of researches in this area and using of various traps, only 2 specimens of this species were caught. (Marsham, 1802) -Lipce, UTM: DC25, "Bukowiec" reserve, 7-12.XI.1997, 8 exx., and 30.I.1998, 1 ex., sifting, a dry hollow in the stump of beech.

Abraeus (Abraeus) perpusillus
A quite rare saproxylic species. In the Rogów region collected during wintering in dry hollow in the lower part of live and old beech. ( For the first time from the Rogów region reported by Burakowski & al. (1978). In the Rogów region quite common species, usually collected under the thick bark of deciduous trees. For the first time from the Rogów region reported by Burakowski & al. (1978). In the Rogów region quite rare species, collected under bark of coniferous trees. In the Rogów region very rare species. During more than 20 years of researches in this area and using of various traps, only 1 specimen of this species was caught. A quite rare species in the Rogów region. Specimens were found in different environments but already on the side necrosis of deciduous trees inhabited by death watch beetles from the Ptilinus Geoffroy genus. For the first time from the Rogów region reported by Burakowski & al. (1978). In the Rogów area most common species of the Saprinus Er. genus. Usually found in warm and xerothermic environments, on excrement and carrion of animals.

Saprinus (Saprinus) lautus Erichson, 1839
The first and new data on this species in the Rogów region are given by Byk & al. 2014. It is a rare species associated with the mushrooms especially form the Agaricaceae family. However, it may occur in large numbers.
Common species found in various environments, but prefers warm and xerothermic localities.

International Letters of Natural Sciences Vol. 37
For the first time from the Rogów region reported by Burakowski & al. (1978). A very common species found in various environments, but prefers warm and xerothermic localities. Usually collected together with S. planisculus and S. aeneus. Bickhardt, 1909 -Gutkowice, UTM: DC33, 15.VIII.2010, 1 ex., pitfall trap with a pig liver.

Saprinus (Saprinus) subnitescens
A very rare species in the Rogów region. For the first time reported by Mazur (1972). Since this observation, only one specimen was collected on xerothermic and sandy field. The species lives in a specific environment, namely the nests of large ants. It may occur in large numbers. The evidence of this species in the Rogów region was noted by Szujecki & Zaborowski (1968) as G. nanus (Sriba) and later by Mazur (1970). Most frequently collected species from the Gnathoncus Jacquelin du Val genus. In addition to the presence in the nests of birds is sometimes found on rotting fungi e.g. Laetiporus sulphureus (Bull.: Fr.) Murrill. A very rare species in the Rogów region. During more than 20 years of researches in this area and using of various traps, only 1 specimen of this species was caught. The occurrence of this species in the Rogów region was given by Szujecki & Zaborowski (1968) as G. nanus (Sriba) and later by Mazur (1970). A rare species associated with the bird nests on which it may occur in large numbers. A rare species in the Rogów region. All the specimens were found in the forest under carrion of chicken.

ILNS Volume 37
A very rare species in the Rogów region. During more than 20 years of researches in this area and using of various traps, only 3 specimens of this species were caught. All the specimens were collected in the agricultural, sandy and xerothermic fields.    Burakowski & al. (1978) and next by Mokrzycki (2011). A quite common species occurs under bark of deciduous trees in very warm environments.

Platysoma (Cylister) angustatum (Hoffmann, 1803)
For the first time from the Rogów region reported by Burakowski & al. (1978). In the collection there are 7 specimens collected 11.VII.1970, leg. S. Mazur. Since this time there is any further information considering this species. For the first time from the Rogów region reported by Burakowski & al. (1978). A quite rare species collected under bark of coniferous trees. A very rare species in the Rogów region. During 20 years of researches in this area and using of various traps, only once 6 specimens of this species were caught on the leaves of young alders together with numerous larvae of Agelastica alni (L.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). A quite common species in the Rogów area. The species occurs in various environments, but collected in individual specimens.  Burakowski & al. (1978). A quite rare species, collected in various environments. (Hoffmann, 1803) -Gutkowice, UTM: DC33, 28.VI.1997, 1 ex., the cow bones; 16.V.2001, 1 ex., the fox burrow.

Margarinotus (Ptomister) merdarius
For the first time from the Rogów region reported by Szujecki & Zaborowski (1968) and later by Mazur (1972). A rare species, occurs in the bird and mammal' nests and, on a lesser degree, on carrion. For the first time from the Rogów region reported by Burakowski & al. (1978) and by Nunberg (1986). A very common species, occurs in various environments. One of the commonest clown beetles in a forest zone.

Margarinotus (Ptomister) terricola (Germar, 1824)
A very rare species in Poland. In the Rogów region 1 specimen of this species was collected in 1967 (Mazur 1972). Since this time there is any information considering this species. For the first time from the Rogów region reported by Nunberg (1986). A very common species, occurs in various environments. One of the commonest clown beetles in an agricultural zone.  Burakowski & al. (1978). A common species in the Rogów region. The species occurs in various habitats. All specimens of this species were caught in spring time. (Erichson, 1834) -Rogów, dendrological garden, UTM: DC24, 01.V.1998, 1 ex., the dead mole; -Głuchów, UTM: DC33, 01.V.2004, 1 ex., the fox burrow.

Margarinotus (Promethister) marginatus
For the first time from the Rogów region reported by Burakowski & al. (1978). A rare species connected with underground mammal' nests e.g. the mole. The specimens of this species were collected in the spring time. A quite rare species, occurs in agricultural environments. Sometimes, collected with A. bimaculatus but in the Rogów region its more rare species than the previous one. For the first time from the Rogów region reported by Mazur (1972). A rare species, accidentally collected in single specimens. In the dendrological garden has been observed on dead slug from Limax L. genus.

CONCLUSIONS
From the Rogów region 42 species of clown beetles were collected representing approx. 54% of all species in the Polish fauna. Most species collected in the 60s and 70s of the twentieth century are being collected nowadays. However, two species, Margarinotus terricola and Platysoma angustatum, despite the using of various traps and collecting methods by many entomologists and students have not been discovered again. In the Rogów area we can expect the occurrence of several more (5-6) new species of clown beetles, especially those that being met in hidden places. However, they are all very rare species for the Polish fauna.
In the Rogów region was collected one species of false clown beetles. Sphaerites glabratus is the only representative of Sphaeritidae family in the Polish fauna.